Alphaville - Big in Japan/ Hive open mic # 146 (Vocal cover by @carminasalazarte) [ENG/ESP]

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Published on Jan 26, 2023

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English Version

Hello to everyone in the Hive Open Mic community! Today I bring you a new cover. This time I will be performing the song 'Big in Japan', a well known hit song by the German band Alphaville. With much enthusiasm and love, after some time sick, I can finally sing again.

The song was released in 1984 on the album 'Forever Young'. The single of the same name was a big hit. Big in Japan is a title attributed to those artists (musical bands) that are successful outside their country of origin. That's why being big, being the best in a specific niche. However, it seems that its lyrics, riddled with some strange sentences, are difficult to understand without the proper context, since the original story actually refers to two homeless men who reside near the Berlin Zoo subway. They are in love but unfortunately addicted to heroin. They therefore hope to overcome this addiction and be able to live a clean love. There also seems to be a reference to the story of Christina F.

Finally my friends. I always liked this song. When I was little I didn't understand the lyrics at all but I really liked the melody. So I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It's a labor of love. Also, now that I understand the lyrics, I can say that I can relate to being great in a place other than where I came from. For example, here in Hive I feel very comfortable (recognized) however, few outside know what I do. Now my friends, I leave you with the video. Thank you very much for stopping by and a big hug.

Versión en Español

¡Hola a todos en la comunidad de Hive Open Mic! El día de hoy les traigo un nuevo cover. Está vez estaré presentando la canción 'Big in Japan', un reconocido exito musical de la banda alemana Alphaville. Con mucho entusiasmo y amor, luego de algún tiempo enferma, por fin puedo volver a cantar.

La canción fue sacada en el año 1984 en el álbum 'Forever Young'. Sencillo del mismo nombre que tuvo gran furor. Big in Japan es un título que se le atribuye a aquellos artistas (bandas musicales) que tienen éxito fuera de su país de origen. Por ello aquello de ser grande, ser el mejor en un nicho en específico. Sin embargo tal parece que su letra plagada de algunas oraciones extrañas, son difíciles de entender sin el contexto apropiado, dado que la historia original en realidad hace referencia a dos vagabundos que residen cerca del metro del Zoológico de Berlín. Ellos están enamorados pero lamentablemente son adictos a la heroína. Por ello esperan poder superar esta adicción y poder vivir un amor limpio. También parece que se hace referencia a la historia de Christina F.

Finalmente amigos míos. Está canción siempre me gustó. Cuando estaba pequeña no entendía para nada la letra pero me agradaba muchísimo la melodía. Así que espero que la disfruten tanto como yo. Es un trabajo hecho con amor. También, ahora que entiendo la letra, puedo decir que me siento identificada con aquello de ser grande en otro lugar menos en el de origen. Por ejemplo, aquí en Hive me siento muy a gusto (reconocida) sin embargo, pocos a fuera saben a lo que me dedico. Ahora sí amigos míos, los dejo con el vídeo. Muchísimas gracias por pasar y fuerte abrazo.

Lyrics/Letra

Winter's cityside
Crystal bits of snowflakes
All around my head and in the wind
I had no illusions
That I'd ever find a glimpse
Of summer's heatwaves in your eyes

You did what you did to me
Now it's history, I see
Here's my comeback on the road again
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight
It's easy when you're big in Japan

Oh, when you're big in Japan, tonight
Big in Japan, be tight
Big in Japan
Oh, the eastern sea's so blue

Big in Japan, alright
Pay, then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan

Neon on my naked skin
Passing silhouettes
Of strange illuminated mannequins
Shall I stay here at the zoo?
Or should I go and change my point of view
For other ugly scenes?

You did what you did to me
Now it's history, oh, I see
Things will happen while they can
I will wait here for my man tonight
It's easy when you're big in Japan

Oh, when you're big in Japan, tonight
Big in Japan, be tight
Big in Japan
Oh, the eastern sea's so blue

Big in Japan, alright
Pay, then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan

Tonight
Big in Japan, be tight
Big in Japan
Oh, the eastern sea's so blue

Big in Japan, alright
Pay, then I'll sleep by your side
Things are easy when you're big in Japan
Oh, when you're big in Japan

Source

Credits/Créditos

Artist/Artista: Alphaville
Song/Canción: Big in Japan
Album/Álbum: Forever Young
Year/Año: 1984

Music track used in the following source